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180mm S-23


NATO: 203mm M1955


Overview


S-23

Side view of former Soviet S-23 in a museum
Source: One half 3544 - © public domain

Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Towed howitzer
Entered service
Mid to late 1950's
Status
Obsolete
Development
1945 - 1955
Developer
Soviet Union - NII-58 design bureau
Production
1955 - 1956 (first batch, 7 units)
1971 (second batch, 12 units)
Producer
Soviet Union - Barrikady arsenal
Number produced
Conflicting reports, ranging from 19 to many dozens.
Designations
52-P-572 (GRAU index)
203mm M1955 (NATO reporting name)
180-мм пушка С-23 (cyrillic)
Russian for "180mm gun S-23"
Notable users
Soviet Union
Syria
Egypt

Description


Introduction

The S-23 is a early Cold War era heavy gun of Soviet origin. It was developed after World War 2 to provide Soviet forces with the ability for long range shelling. In the West it was referred to as the 203mm M1955 gun, although its actual caliber is 180mm. When introduced the S-23 had a phenomenal range, good accuracy and reasonable volume of fire. Only decades later would modern 155mm 52-caliber howitzers offer a similar range.

Design

The 180mm 49-caliber ordnance with pepperpot muzzle brake was derived from the older Chapayev naval gun. The gun is mounted on a heavy split trail carriage. The carriage has a single axle with four wheels. A 16 man crew is required for normal operations. A two wheel limber is used in travel configuration. No gun shield is provided since the S-23 is to be used well behind the frontline.

Firepower

The S-23 fires powerful 180mm shells at high velocity at ranges up to 30.4 km. Types of shell include high explosive and concrete piercing. Reportedly a nuclear round was developed as well. A rocket assisted projectile introduced in the early 1970's extends the maximum range out to 43.8 km. The maximum rate of fire is 1 round per minute. Sustained fire reduces the rate of fire to 1 round every 2 minutes. Accuracy is reported to be good, even at maximum range.

Mobility

The S-23 is a large and heavy gun and as such is difficult to transport. In travelling mode a two wheel dolly is used and the ordnance is withdrawn to the rear in order to reduce overall length. A heavy truck or preferably a tracked prime mover is used to tow the gun. In Soviet service the AT-T artillery tractor was used.

Users

The S-23 was adopted by Soviet forces and was officially used at a ratio of 12 weapons per heavy artillery brigade. However, it seems that production stopped after only 7 units. Production resumed at a later date to counter the US self-propelled M107. It was exported to several Soviet allies and was used during several Middle East conflicts. In Soviet service the S-23 was officially replaced by the self-propelled 2S7 Pion and heavy rocket artillery such as the FROG-7.

Details


Facts S-23
General
Origin
Soviet Union
Type
Towed howitzer
Crew
14 to 16
Dimensions
Weight
21.45 t (travel configuration)
21.2 t (firing position)
Length
10.49 m with limber
Width
3.03 m
Height
2.69 m
Ordnance
Type
180mm 49-caliber howitzer
Barrel length
8.65 m
Muzzle brake
Yes, pepperpot type
Muzzle velocity
865 m/s for HE
805 m/s for concrete piercing
Elevation
-2° to +55°
Traverse
22° left to 22° right
Firepower
Rate of fire
1 rpm maximum
1 round every 2 minutes sustained
Range
30.4 km for HE
27.4 km for concrete piercing
43.7 km for rocket assisted projectile
Operation
Emplacement time
30 minutes
Sights
S-85 mechanical sight
PG-1M panoramic sight
MVShP direct fire sight
Carriage
Type
Four wheel single axle split trail carriage
Limber
Yes, two wheel limber
Gun shield
No
Ground clearance
0.4 m
Mobility
Towing vehicle
AT-T artillery tractor
Towed speed
35 km/h on road
12 km/h off road
Autonomous mobility
Too heavy to be manhandled
APU
No

Media


Related articles


2S7 Pion

The 2S7 Pion replaced the S-23 in long range shelling. It has a larger caliber, longer range and better mobility.

203mm B-4

The S-23 replaced the remaining World War 2 era 203mm B-4 in Soviet service. Compared to the B-4 the S-23 has a longer range.

M107

The supply of US 175mm M107 to Israel prompted a second batch of S-23 to be produced for Soviet allies in the Middle East.